Mike,
Ability to render very subtle changes of light and shade. This in turn gives the image very 3D look. You almost feel like you're present on site.
This is what I would call plasticity.
The lens that is not like this has very few distinguishable transitions from light to darkness and back. So you get mighty contrast image but it lacks detail, lacks fine representation, lack this natural look.
Do I make sense?
It seems to me that you are talking about definition of degrees of contrast. This will be strongly associated with resolution, I think. You may find:
a) you need to lower your sights somewhat for the 35mm format
b) you need to go to a larger negative
c) you need to spend a lot more on lenses
Not sure whether to 8-) or 8-( after that....
Not sure what you mean by plasticity.
mike
